The Outcast's Recognition
Just two days after returning home for summer vacation. Even though barely a day had passed since my arrival, the entire family estate was buzzing with talk about me. Or more precisely, about me and Felix.
"The youngest young master beat Felix...!"
"That's bullshit. You believe that?"
"No, I saw earlier—Felix's face was all messed up...?"
"What? Did the youngest really win?"
Whispers drifted into my ears from every corner. I hadn't gone around advertising it, but the maids already knew? Rumors really did spread fast.
'Well... Felix's face was pretty wrecked, though.'
Still, I hadn't expected it to blow up this quickly. Not even a week—just one day, and everyone knew.
"Where are you off to?"
"Lunch."
In the Vergilius family, all direct bloodline members gathered in one place for meals. It was meant to be a regular report session and family bonding time, but ever since Joshua became family head, it had devolved into nothing more than status updates from the direct line.
'Still, it's been a while, so I'm a bit tense.'
Whenever we ate together, I was treated like I didn't exist—never allowed to speak.
Screeech...
I pushed open the ornate door blending gold and black for a vintage feel.
"Youngest, you're here."
The scene unfolding slowly was like a painting come to life. Joshua sat at the center of the table, gazing steadily at me. Ash and Felix flanked him, exuding a heavy aura. One seat empty for the absent eldest son, three women seated, and eight knights standing silently in the room. The air was suffocating just walking in. Not welcoming, but it had been ages.
"Yes. Looks like I'm the last one. Sorry."
"No matter. Can't reprimand you for being on time."
"Thank you."
I bowed my head and took my seat slowly. The food on the table was luxurious at a glance, centered around premium meats.
'Come to think of it, didn't Lilia say she sensed demonic energy from Joshua last time?'
Recalling Lilia's words from before, I eyed Joshua carefully.
Insight gazes directly at the target
Even with Insight active, no demonic energy. No—strangely, not even mana could be felt. It was unnaturally absent.
"Nothing at all."
"Indeed."
Of course, mages could hide their mana, but it shouldn't be undetectable even to Insight. And he sure as hell hadn't suddenly lost his mana yesterday.
"So, youngest. You fought the third yesterday? And won?"
Joshua chewed his meat slowly, fixing his gaze on me. No mana, nothing—but the pressure was palpable.
"Ah, Father!! It wasn't that I lost...!"
Before I could respond, Felix jumped in desperately to make excuses. He probably didn't want it known he'd lost to the guy he'd always looked down on.
But.
"Felix. I asked the youngest, not you. Don't interrupt."
"...Urk."
Joshua crushed Felix flat and turned back to me.
"This... isn't this too much? Our Felix has done so well until now."
Ignoring Joshua's warning, it was Felix's mother who spoke up—not me. The second wife, Angela... Even after all this time, she doted on her son fiercely. Enough to challenge the family head.
"...There's an Eastern proverb for that."
"Pardon?"
"When the hen crows, the household falls."
In an instant, an enormous surge of mana poured from Joshua's body. Starting as a stream, it swelled into a tsunami, crushing the space. The sheer intensity felt like it could shatter my body. Even I, with seven aura cores, felt real pain.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
It was practically a threat. Never defy him, wife or not.
"O-okay. Just stop. His face is already like that..."
"You watch yourself too. My patience isn't infinite."
Joshua withdrew his mana as casually as he'd unleashed it. Despite the flood moments ago, now it was undetectable again—like it never existed.
"Right. To continue: youngest, you beat the third?"
"...We didn't exactly fight, but yes, I won."
"A 5th Circle beating a 6th Circle. Impressive."
To a mage, one circle's difference was like an adult man versus a four-year-old. Not just mana quantity and quality, but vast gaps in knowledge and experience. So a 5th Circle victory wasn't just a win—it was extraordinary.
'Actually, I'm 7th Circle.'
Even at 5th, I wouldn't have lost. It was basically countering his simple formula with reverse calculation.
"I succeeded in reverse-calculating his formula and seized the advantage."
"...Reverse calculation. Not just magical talent, but computational skill."
Joshua's eyes swept over me briefly, appraising my worth. Comparing me to Felix, who'd reached 6th Circle young.
"Excellent. Another prodigy emerges in the main house. What do you desire?"
Recognition. Not just any—he acknowledged I'd surpassed Felix's talent.
'I used to think I'd never beat him.'
A year ago, I'd have teared up. Now? No thrill. Belhalm, a mere 6th Circle rookie, had been stronger.
'A reward for talent.'
Joshua offering meant almost anything was possible. Even cash would be a fortune.
But I'd already decided.
"I want to enter the family's Deep Archive."
"Dante...? Do you know what that means!?"
Ash, watching beside me, spoke urgently in surprise.
"...The Deep Archive?"
"Yes. I want to glimpse the unknown realms."
"You know only past family heads may enter?"
I knew. The Vergilius Deep Archive was more valuable than even the secret vault. One of the so-called "Magic Sanctums" revered in the world.
"If not, anything else is fine."
Joshua hesitated unusually. After how he'd treated me, he'd want to bind me to the family now.
'So the reward has to be worth turning my mood around.'
I didn't expect approval. Exceptions existed, but ordinary talent couldn't even enter. Even Ash, who'd visited the vault twice, couldn't.
"...Granted."
"............Pardon?"
"Permission to enter the Deep Archive. But only for 15 minutes."
15 minutes. Not long at all. Barely enough for one book.
They valued granting access itself.
"...Thank you."
"When you're ready, say the word. I'll send you in immediately."
Joshua gave an awkward smile unlike him and resumed eating. Same old meal, same people. The only outlier here was me.
"And from now on, pay attention to the youngest. He's just returned after so long."
His voice was as dry as ever. But everyone's faces were utterly different.
"...Ah, aah......"
Felix stopped eating in defeat, staring blankly at the ceiling. Glancing at him, I took a bite of meat.
Yes. Everyone at the table realized it—no exceptions. That I'd taken Felix's place in Joshua's affections.
Even under July's sun, snow fell from the sky, and biting frost blanketed the land. In that place where white breath never left one's lips all year...
Five figures in black masks gathered.
"...Remarkable. Hasn't he personally set the plan in motion since four years ago?"
"Good news. We've waited this long—now it turns."
"Indeed. The perfect moment to complete that greed."
All five pairs of eyes turned to one place. The wall guarding the north, the empire's sharp blade: the Vergilius County.
"One month from now."
The tallest masked figure murmured softly.
"In one month, greed will shatter the frost."